LAKEPORT — On a brisk Saturday morning a crowd circled the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association”s Memorial Mast in Library Park to honor those who served.

It was the 72nd anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, which brought the United States into World War II.

Bill Slater, 89, of Lakeport, one of the two remaining survivors of Pearl Harbor living in Lake County watched solemnly from a well-deserved warm seat in a car facing the mast.

The Lake County Military Funeral Honors Team played Taps, flags were raised, the Sea Scouts respectfully assisted. Through shaking and shivering voices — speeches were made.

The sound of rifles blasted through the frozen air as a volley was fired in honor, recognition and with gratitude of those who served.

The cold kept the outdoor ceremony brief with the crowd making its way to the Lakeport City Hall to continue the remembrance of the “Day that will live in Infamy.”

Slater along with Alice Darrow shared colorful accounts of their experiences. The standing-room-only crowd absorbed each and every word.

Ronnie Bogner was in charge of introductions and background for the gathering that featured speakers Bill Kearney and Lakeport Mayor Tom Engstrom.

Henry Anderson, 95, also a Pearl Harbor survivor was too ill to attend. Anderson served aboard the USS Tennessee, one of battleships moored in Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

Slater served aboard the USS Pennsylvania, another battleship.

Slater and Anderson are the last two Lake County men who survived the attack that killed more than 2,400 and left more than 1,200 wounded.

Slater was seated in the front of the room by Darrow, a “Sweetheart,” which refers to a widow of someone who served during Pearl Harbor.

She was married to Dean Darrow who died in 1991. He served aboard the battleship USS West Virginia.

A shadowbox adorned with medals sat on the divider in front of Slater and Darrow, belonging to Engstrom. It was a gift from his father who was a veteran. His father never spoke much about the war, he said.

“We were just doing our job,” Engstrom”s father would tell him, “It was our duty.”

Engstrom said, “Duty is doing what we should, whether we like it or not.”

Engstrom was visibly moved being in the presence of the humble and historical heroes attending the ceremony.

Tears began to well in Engstrom”s eyes. As he prepared to end his speech he told Slater and Darrow they would not be forgotten.

“Our children will know of you. Our grandchildren will know of you, and of the service you”ve provided. We thank you for what you have done,” Engstrom said.

Slater then gave his speech, recounting as though the attack happened yesterday, with amazing recall of the details and chronology. He thanked his daughter and son-in-law.

“I want to give a shout-out to them,” Slater said. “Without those two I wouldn”t be here now.”

Slater continued to express gratitude to event organizers Janeane and Ronnie Bogner for their generosity and kindness.

He honored all those who served and closed by saying:

“It”s four years, four months and five days that I gave to the service of the United States and I”m proud of every moment of it.”

Darrow followed by thanking her family as well and by acknowledging those who died during the attack.

“The real heroes are the ones who didn”t come back,” she said.

She met her husband Dean when she was a nurse at Mare Island in 1942.

She said she decided on being a Navy nurse because “the boys were such cute little guys.”

The battleship Dean was on took seven torpedo hits and he landed in the fiery water, she said. “He was a good swimmer,” she added.

After an initial examination, he was sent to Mare Island. It turned out he had a bullet lodged in some muscle near his heart. He asked Alice to go out with him if he survived his surgery that would remove the bullet. She agreed.

“Nobody thought he”d ever make it,” she said and laughed.

Within months the two were married and had four children.

She ended her speech holding up the bullet that was removed near Dean”s heart.

Vietnam veteran Bill Kearney filled the small hall with a powerful rendition of God Bless America and Middletown High School sophomores Hannah Flynn and Asia Firebaugh melodiously sang the National Anthem.